Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted for the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, H.R. 2377, to establish a national red flag law to temporarily remove firearms from those who pose a threat to themselves or others.  The bill passed the House on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 224-202.

“In Houston, our neighbors have expressed concerns about increasing gun violence across our state and our country, asking what we can do to make our communities safer,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act is a common-sense measure to empower loved ones and law enforcement officials to intervene and prevent someone who poses a danger from possessing a firearm temporarily.  This legislation will have a meaningful impact, and I will continue to work to help keep our community safe from gun violence.”

A Department of Education and Secret Service study of school violence from 2008 to 2017 found in 77 percent of school shootings, at least one person knew about that plan. 19 states and Washington, D.C. already have red flag laws and have seen reductions in their firearm suicide rates after implementing those laws. In those states, they have also prevented potential mass shootings. Red flag laws are a proven way to intervene before a violent incident takes place.

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, H.R. 2377 would prevent shootings by:

• Authorizing and establishing procedures for federal courts to issue extreme risk protection orders; and
• Allowing family members, health care providers, school officials, and law enforcement officers to petition a federal court to temporarily remove a person’s access to firearms if they are found to be a danger to themselves or others.

In addition to H.R. 2377, Congresswoman Fletcher also co-sponsored and voted for the Protecting Our Kids Act, H.R. 7910, this week, a comprehensive package of gun safety legislation.

Last March, Congresswoman Fletcher co-sponsored and voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 8, to require universal background checks and close the loopholes in national background check systems that enable domestic abusers and convicted felons to purchase guns.  She also voted to pass the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 1446, which would close the Charleston Loophole, a federal law that allows gun purchases to move forward by default after three business days even if a background check has not been completed.  Congresswoman Fletcher is also a co-sponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2021, H.R. 1808.